Professional Documents
Culture Documents
100 Waystosayit
100 Waystosayit
FOREWORD
100 Ways to Say it in Business English is for people who want a quick
guide on what to say in common situations. Five examples have been
written for each function to give readers the opportunity to find the phrase
that suits their needs best.
All in all, a choice of five hundred phrases that, I hope, can help you speak
business English more effectively.
My name is
My name is Helen Byrne. I run the HR division.
I’m
I‟m Jack, Susan‟s cousin.
Hi
Hi. Nice to meet you. I‟m Susan but everyone calls me Sue.
Hello
Hello. Sam Patrick from Sales.
Jack
Jack, from Geneva.
Hi
Hi. I‟m Sam.
Hello
Hello. Andrew Damson.
I am
I am Dr. Jack Smith from Barcelona. I work at our R&D facility.
My name is
My name is John Styles. I run Riversoft‟s European operations.
I’m called
I‟m called Roberta Woodall. Robbie to my friends.
This is
This is Amy Stevens.
May I introduce?
May I introduce Sally Young? Sally‟s our PR officer.
Let me introduce
Let me introduce John Oats. He will be joining our sales team.
Hi
Hi, John.
Hello
Hello. May I come in?
Good morning
Good morning, Mr Hendricks.
Time to begin
Well, time to begin. We‟ll set off with an outline.
We need to discuss
We need to discuss whether this company needs two factories.
We will study
We will carefully study all the projects that were brought forward.
To put it briefly
To put it briefly, we have a problem with sales.
In a few words
In a few words, Chandler is leaving the company.
In a nutshell
In a nutshell, the contract will be finished next month.
To summarise
To summarise, we face an imminent strike in our Heathrow facilities.
The reason
The reason I travelled here is to discuss productivity.
My aim
My aim now is to increase sales in Britain.
My objective
My objective is to reduce advertising costs by at least ten percent.
We intend
We intend to redefine our marketing campaign.
I want to
I want to let you know I‟ll stand by you.
I’m here to
I‟m here to talk about plant organization.
We’re going to
We‟re going to spend all day reviewing our techniques.
Item one
Item one in our agenda will be corporate responsibility.
Point A
Point A is our relationship with the government.
We can now
We can now discuss the next topic.
We need to go on
We need to go on. Chapter B deals with economics.
Shall we continue?
Shall we continue? The second subject concerns our own future.
Please observe
Please observe how the new design is more aerodynamic.
If you watch
If you watch this video closely you‟ll see it was filmed lat year.
Have a look
Have a good look at this chart.
Look here
Just look over here. This is the new tractor.
Watch this
Watch this scene. Can you spot our product in the background?
Instead of praising
Instead of praising Jim we should be worrying about his future.
Do you have?
Do you have any information on the Lambeth Square project?
What evidence?
What evidence do you have?
May we have?
May we have further details?
We need more
We need more data. One projection is just not enough.
What else?
What else can you add to convince us better?
What time?
What time is dinner served?
I’m allergic to
I‟m allergic to nuts. Do you have any nut-free ice cream?
What’s your?
What‟s your e-mail?
There’s a misunderstanding
I‟m afraid there‟s been a misunderstanding. I said Mrs Figgs, not Mrs Pigs.
It’s wrong
It‟s all wrong. Can‟t you see the formula‟s incorrect?
This is different to
This is different to what we had agreed. You must change it.
Let’s concentrate on
Let‟s concentrate on the agenda for the day.
We’re digressing
We‟re digressing. I want to stick to the main subject.
As I was explaining
As I was explaining before lunch, higher prices don‟t always deter buyers.
Return to
Let‟s return to point five: Clay Corporation.
We’ll defer
We‟ll defer the matter till we have all relevant information.
Let’s leave
Let‟s leave this issue aside for the time being.
Let’s postpone
Let‟s postpone the discussion till everyone has arrived.
The major
The only major problem we need to solve is absenteeism.
We really need
We really need to look after our workforce.
This is vital
Turning a profit this year is vital if we wish to survive.
It’s imperative
It‟s imperative to solve this problem now.
This is inconsequential
This is inconsequential. Who cares about PR anyhow?
It’s irrelevant
His view is irrelevant, completely worthless.
Before we move on
Before we move on I believe we should hear Jackie‟s point of view.
Wait a minute
Wait a minute. We haven't discussed the forecast yet.
Shouldn’t we postpone?
Shouldn‟t we postpone the decision till Lindsay is back from her office?
Not so fast
Not so fast. We haven‟t finished our coffee yet!
Take it easy
Take it easy. What‟s the hurry? We have the whole weekend ahead of us.
Let's move on
Let‟s move one. Time is money.
Hurry up
Hurry up please. We can‟t waste more time on this.
An alternative to consider
An alternative point to consider is the effect of this decision on our image.
By the way
By the way, it rained quite a bit yesterday.
Now is time to
Now is the right time to talk about the new site. Tomorrow will be too late.
I don’t want to
I don‟t want to talk about football anymore. What are the plans for tonight?
Changing subject
Changing subject, did you see Dudley yesterday?
Before I forget
Before I forget, how did Jack and Edith get on?
Er
Er, I think Joan is already here.
Sorry
Sorry, I never meant that.
Actually
Actually it was Geraldine who arrived late.
Excuse me
Excuse me, that seems taking matters too far.
May I interrupt?
May I interrupt? I do have something relevant to disclose.
Sorry to interrupt
Sorry to interrupt, but someone‟s phone is ringing.
Please listen to me
Please listen to me. It is important.
Let’s hear
Let‟s hear what Virginia has to say.
Please go ahead.
Please go ahead, Diana. What is so urgent?
We’d be delighted
We‟d be delighted to hear your doubts, Paul. Please go ahead.
Do we agree?
Do we agree that suing Dynacore is the only solution?
Do we all share?
Do we all share the same belief?
Shall we pass?
Shall we pass the motion? Good. Passed.
Exactly!
Exactly! You couldn‟t have used better words.
I have to agree
I have to agree with you. There seems to be no other possibility.
You’ve found
I think you‟ve found the right solution.
I don’t agree
I don‟t agree with you at all.
I don’t think so
I don‟t think so. Why don‟t you change strategy?
I wouldn't do that
I wouldn‟t do that. I would never sell a car to buy a motorcycle.
I’m afraid
I‟m afraid your models are a bit outdated.
I’m sorry
I‟m sorry but I can‟t agree with you.
I’m worried
I‟m rather worried about the rate of return.
I can’t help
I can‟t help feeling that we‟ve forgotten something.
Before beginning
Before beginning make sure the mains are turned off.
I would start by
I would start by analysing the charts.
To begin with
To begin with, write a business plan.
After that
Immediately after that you should ask for an appointment with Dr Thayne.
Once you've
Once you‟ve gone through the first step you must tackle the second one.
At the end
At the end you should check that the cables are
well connected
I am delighted
I am delighted to inform you that you‟ve won the first prize.
We are pleased
We are pleased to announce that ClaraVision will be our new ad agency.
You’ll be thrilled
You‟ll be trilled to hear that Gretel is returning next week.
We regret to
We regret to inform you that your programme has been discontinued.
I'm sorry
I‟m sorry but I have to let you know that we will not participate.
I'm afraid it
I‟m afraid it won‟t be possible for us to finance your venture.
Unfortunately
Unfortunately we are not allowed to take on such high risk.
I feel sorry
I feel sorry but there‟s little we can do.
It’s a shame
It‟s a shame but nobody will be there to receive you.
My condolence
Our condolence over the death of such an esteemed member of your team
We deserve better
We deserve a better service.
We are sorry
I‟d like to say we are sorry for the inconveniences. Here‟s your refund.
I regret
I regret to inform you that we cannot return your money.
Surely
This will surely happen.
Definitely
Daphne will definitely replace Ethel next month.
Doubtlessly
The building will doubtlessly be finished this November.
Certainly
We will certainly increase our turnover within the next quarter.
Probably
It will probably take place next summer.
Likely
The festival is not likely to happen.
It seems
It seems that Sean will be joining us after all.
Apparently
Apparently the prototype will be ready by Monday.
On the face of it
On the face of it, everything seems to be running smoothly.
Possible
It is, of course, possible to give you a discount if you increase volume.
Conceivably
Can we conceivably believe that you will not make another mistake, Tom?
Feasible
The project is perfectly feasible. We only need financing.
Viable
We do agree that it is viable. Now, is it possible with only three men?
Doable
The plan is doable. Ask Mr Danton, who has all the figures.
Improbable
It is improbable that she will finish before the deadline.
Doubtful
Success seems doubtful. Who would back this adventure anyway?
Unlikely
This deal looks more unlikely as days go by.
I have my doubts
I have my doubts about this business ever happening.
I’m unsure
I‟m unsure. There are less than thirty percent chances of winning.
Impossible
It‟s impossible for Greg to arrive on time. His plane is delayed in Paris.
Undoable
This project is just undoable. Who drew the plans?
Unreachable
The goals Rachel set are unreachable.
Unattainable
Total quality will be unattainable without a well-trained workforce.
In addition
In addition, I‟d like to mention that Sara‟s generally right.
We might also
We might also deduce that bonuses will be affected too.
As well
Corn, as well as wheat, is produced in Brazil.
Furthermore
Furthermore, they insisted we should join them.
Moreover
Moreover, the fine must be paid within seven days.
To elaborate
To elaborate on what Ms Finch exposed we will use a chart.
Let me expand
Let me expand on Robbie‟s plan. It will entail a drastic change.
What's more
What‟s more, ClaraVision will also promote our merchandise.
On the whole
On the whole, we can‟t really say A is better than B.
In general
In general people prefer longer, less expensive holidays.
By and large
By and large, the process was successful.
Broadly speaking
Broadly speaking, women follow fashion more closely than men do.
We are working on
We‟re now working on the new model.
We are involved in
We are already fully involved with phase B.
Fluctuate
Stock prices fluctuated throughout the session.
Unstable
The system is unstable and it might crash any minute.
Irregular
Growth patterns are irregular in Europe.
Erratic
His behaviour is erratic. He‟s happy one day and sad the next.
Vary
Figures vary all the time. It‟s impossible to draw a working model.
Stable
Prices will be stable for the whole season.
Remain unchanged
Nothing remains unchanged for very long.
Steadily
If we are lucky, sales will move steadily for the next couple of months.
Constant
If the number of unemployed people remains constant we will face trouble.
The same
Things are the same as one year ago. Does nothing ever change here?
Increase
Salaries should increase according to productivity.
Improve
Sales have improved and reached almost a million.
Raise
The government need to raise taxes to lower the deficit.
Rise
If inflation rises we will need to raise our prices.
Go up
The rates will not go up until the Central Bank decides they should.
Accumulate
We have accumulated around ten percent.
Escalate
Costs have escalated by a very small factor.
Accrue
Interest has accrued in my savings account.
Grow
The economy will grow this year.
Develop
Sales have developed more slowly than we had expected.
Boost
The advertising campaign boosted donations by twenty percent.
Shoot up
The cost of raw materials has shot up because of the increased demand.
Spring up
Absenteeism always springs up when there‟s an epidemic of flu.
Surge
Interest rates surged to twenty-five percent because of inflation fears.
Multiply
We need to multiply output by two within the next semester.
Caused by
The decrease in productivity was caused by lack of innovation.
Result from
The fall in passengers resulted from a misguided marketing policy.
Due to
Our failure was due to disorganization.
Conclusion
Her success was the logical conclusion of hard work.
Bring about
The change was brought about by our mistakes last year.
Lead to
The rise in sales led to more R&D.
Result in
Our failure resulted in the loss of the contract.
Mean that
Rachel‟s decision to fire David means that I have to work harder.
It implies that
If she arrives late every day it implies that she‟s not happy with her job.
It entails that
Lengthening the lunch hour will entail hiring at least one more worker.
Unless we
The company won„t survive, unless we stop the problem now.
If we don’t
If we don‟t audit our accounts we will face problems with the shareholders.
Only if
I‟ll give you both my support only if you promise to solve your differences.
Watch
Watch your cash flow and be careful with bank clearing dates.
Otherwise
She needs to be there today. Otherwise, we‟ll lose the contract.
I’m convinced
I‟m convinced this is the best way to do it.
I assure you
I assure you our machine will work in every type of weather.
There is no doubt
There are no doubts Sandra is the best candidate.
It will improve
The stationary bicycle will improve your health.
It stands out
The GRS stands out among its competitors because it‟s less noisy.
Maybe we should
Maybe we should call Gerald
How about
How about setting up a meeting with their purchasing department?
I would
I would change your old computer for a newer one.
Let's look at
Let‟s look at option A.
How about?
How about this last alternative? Shall we review it?
We could either
We could either invest in gold or silver.
It might be better
It might be better to include a colour photograph along with the letter.
We need
We need at least $10,000 for the next round of financing.
We can’t do without
We can‟t do without Edith. She‟s our leader!
It is essential
Working all night is essential. We won‟t meet targets otherwise.
It is compulsory
Wearing a tie is compulsory at this office.
We require
We require a deposit of at least twenty percent of the final price.
Recommend
I can surely recommend ClaraVison. They‟re a reliable agency.
Vouch for
Yes, I‟ll vouch for Jacqueline. Why do you want to know about her?
Endorse
Yes, I‟m ready to endorse Miss Low. She‟s an exemplary worker.
We urge you to
We urge you to continue with the programme.
We recommend you
We recommend you should prepare your managers for a shakeout.
You ought to
You ought to conduct quality audits every year.
If I were you
If I were you I‟d keep my mouth shut.
It is priced
It is priced at $ 3,499 and we pay for shipping!
It is made of
It is made of wood and aluminium.
It features
The team features two Nobel Prize winners.
It comes with
It comes with a calculator and a pocket translator.
It measures
It measures ten feet in width, two in height and one in depth.
It weighs
It weighs close to a ton.
If we go back
If we go back to the chart we‟ll see how fabric design has changed.
As I said before
As I said before, it‟s never too late to start exercising.
To sum up
To sum up, we are in deep trouble.
To recapitulate
To recapitulate, this has been our best year ever.
The conclusion is
The conclusion is that all our efforts have finally proven successful.
In a few words
In a few words, Karen would like to congratulate you all.
Let me end
Let me end by reminding you that we are at the top because of your work.
Finally
Finally, I want to say I‟m delighted to have had the chance to meet you.
To conclude
Before concluding, I‟d like to invite Alice to say a few words.
Time to finish!
Time to finish! Does anyone need a ride back to the hotel?
I have to leave
I‟m afraid I have to leave now. I‟m double-parked!
We have to move on
We have to move on, sorry!
Thanks
Thanks for everything.
Thank you
Thank you for kind cooperation.
I appreciate
I appreciate your interest in my situation.
I have enjoyed
I have enjoyed your company today.
It’s a pleasure to
It‟s a pleasure to be able to talk about the MX project.
Good night
Good night, everyone.
Goodbye
Goodbye. Please send my regards to Miss Burkes.
It was nice to
It was nice to talk to you.
Hope we meet
Hope we meet again before next summer.
See you
See you later.
Take care
Take care. Till tomorrow.
Cheers
Cheers. Give my love to Jeannette.
Bye
Bye Charlie.
So long
So long. Lovely to see you again.